Discontinuing or Postponing Legal Studies

This section pertains to students who have begun their studies and then subsequently consider separating from the school of law.  Students who are incoming 1L students seeking to defer their admission should review the information found elsewhere.
 
Students who have begun studies and may be considering separation from the school of law are required to meet with the Director of Student Services to discuss the reasons for separation, possible alternatives and other administrative concerns (including, but not limited to: ABA regulations regarding length of study, and monetary commitments to the school of law).  Having met with student services, students may submit their on line request.  This request is reviewed by the Assistant Dean of Students.  Students who discontinue their studies at the School of Law without being granted approval to separate will be administratively withdrawn and must obtain the permission of the faculty petitions committee to resume studies at a later time. 
 

Separation from the School of Law may be for a fixed period of time - this is a leave of absence; or for a final cessation of studies at the school of law - this is a withdrawal. Students transferring to another law school would request a withdrawal.

 
Student email accounts will be discontinued two weeks after the effective date of the separation.  Access to the student administration system is not discontinued.
 
Please note:  students who study for a defined period of time either at another campus as part of a dual degree program or at another school of law as an approved visitor do not have to separate from this school of law, though approval of these forms of study do require pre-approval as well.

 

Withdrawals

A student may seek to withdraw from the School of Law at any time prior to the commencement of the final examination period.  If approved, such students receive neither credit for, nor are charged with, any failure in any courses taken in the semester from which they withdraw. If the withdrawal occurs in the second semester these same regulations shall apply to full-year courses, except when arrangements for partial credit are made.

Leaves of Absence

A student may seek a leave of absence from the School of Law at any time prior to the commencement of the final examination period.  If approved, such students receive neither credit for, nor are charged with, any failure in any courses taken in the semester from which they leave. If the request for the leave is for a future term (or terms), the student is expected to complete the current term in which they are enrolled.  If a student takes a leave of absence from the School of Law after completion of one semester of a course scheduled throughout the academic year, upon readmission he or she may be permitted, under certain circumstances, to complete such courses as if  the leave had not occurred. Approval to continue year long course work may be granted by the Assistant Dean of Students. In determining whether or not this privilege will be granted, the following factors will be considered: 

  • changes in the content of the course
  • the time elapsed since the course was originally taken, but ordinarily the privilege will not be granted to a student whose absence from the Law School has exceeded one year;
  • the instructor's evaluation of the student's performance when the first semester of the course was originally taken (if known).

Note: Credit is ordinarily not given for one semester of a full-year course. In a case deemed appropriate by the instructor, however, arrangements may be made for such partial credit. Grades may be entered separately for each semester or a single grade may be entered for the year, at the election of the instructor, for courses scheduled throughout the year.